Front Page Headlines
‘Planned murder’ and scuffles
The Kyrenia Criminal Court ruled on Monday that the Mehmet-Meryem Doğu couple were guilty of the premeditated murder of Memduh Ulugün who they had stabbed 18 times in Alsancak (Karavas). Following the court’s verdict, relatives of the defendants caused a ruckus. The court will be announcing its sentence on Friday, September 27.
- The foundation which claims to be the owner of Maraş (Varosha) was compensated in 1935 and then shut down – Experienced politician Soyer backed up his views on Maraş (Varosha) with documents.
- “We are going in goodwill but…” – Akıncı gave clear messages before leaving for New York. He said an open-ended process was not possible, political equality was a sine qua non for Turkish Cypriots, Anastasiades continues to reject political equality, no agreement on Lute’s work, Turkey not closed to the idea of a five-party meeting, and a two-state solution is not possible in the foreseeable future.
Cheap ticket alternative disappeared with Thomas Cook’s bankruptcy
15,000 in South Cyprus and 600,000 people in total stranded following Thomas Cook’s bankruptcy announcement.
- Akıncı: “We are going to do our best.”
- Tatar: “Turkish Cypriot people will not enter into a federation adventure when details are revealed.”
- Özersay’s busy schedule in New York.
All went crazy after the court’s “premeditated murder” verdict
Meryem and Mehmet Doğu, who rejected the accusations, were found guilty of murdering Memduh Ulugün. Relatives of the Doğu couple were outraged with the court’s verdict.
Born an environmentalist
Havadis interviewed Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Fazilet Özdenefe, one of the most dynamic members of the parliament at the Camelot Beach in Kyrenia. They talked about her passion for the sea, nature as well as other aspects of her life.
- “Equality, freedom and security” – President Mustafa Akıncı spoke extensively on the Cyprus problem before departing for New York.
- Pre-meditated murder – Kyrenia court found Meryem and Mehmet Doğu found guilty of murdering Memduh Ulugün. The sentencing hearing will be on September 27.
Anger and violence
Relatives and family members of Meryem and Mehmet Doğu, who were on trial for the murder of Memduh Ulugün, turned the courtyard into a war zone following the court’s verdict.
Father Tayyip come and see. They’re doing this because we are from Turkey
Relatives of the defendants found guilty in the Memduh Ülgen murder case attacked the prosecutor in court. The court found Mehmet and Meryem Doğu, who stabbed Memduh Ulugün in the middle of the street in Alsancak (Karavas) last year, guilty of premeditated murder. The sentencing hearing will take place on September 27. Following the court’s verdict, relatives of the defendants caused a ruckus, attacking the prosecutor and kicking police cars. They then chanted slogans calling on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to hear their voice, claiming that the verdict was because the defendants were from Turkey.
Main News
Disappointment over GC side’s stance on political equality
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Energy
OVERVIEW
Monday saw an array of statements from the North’s political brass expressing disappointment over the Greek Cypriot side’s stance on the issue of political equality.
Speaking at a press conference at Ercan (Tymbou) on Monday morning before departing for New York, Akıncı said he was going to New York with a spirit of goodwill to defend the rights of Turkish Cypriots based on UN parameters.
Akıncı expressed his disappointment over Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades’ continued rejection of the political equality of Turkish Cypriots.
He said that it was the very same stance that had prevented an agreement being reached on the Terms of Reference (ToR) during the UN special envoy’s recent visit to the island.
“Let it be known that political equality is a sine qua non for the Turkish Cypriot side,” he stressed, warning that failure to settle the Cyprus Problem would render the current division on the island permanent.
Akıncı also criticized political circles that advocated a two-state solution, stating that such a solution would not be possible in the foreseeable future.
“No matter how good it may sound, this is not possible in the near future. I am working for a settlement based on two constituent states that will safeguard the political equality and freedom of Turkish Cypriots, that will ensure their security and that will be based on international law,” he said.
Akıncı reminded that both he and Anastasiades will be meeting separately with the UN Secretary-General and that a tripartite meeting could be possible in the not so distant future.
He added that Ankara was still open to the idea of holding an informal five-party meeting to discuss the terms of reference.
“The Turkish Cypriot side knows clearly what it wants in line with UN parameters. We possess the necessary political will and determination. A solution in Cyprus is possible if all the other parties, particularly the Greek Cypriot side, show the same political will and determination,” he said, adding that there was no need for a prolonged process of talks as everything had been discussed in depth.
He added that Anastasiades’ conflicting statements on the nature of a settlement had created confusion among everyone.
“Before the August 9 meeting, he talked about a two-state solution or a confederation. Then he brought up a loose federation only to tell everyone later that what he meant was a decentralised federation. Then one day he said, let’s forget about a presidential system and have a rotational prime ministry. So, everyone was confused,” he said.
This is why the Turkish Cypriot side is expecting the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) to take on a more active role in the process, Akıncı added.
Akıncı also criticized Anastasiades for trying to lay the blame on him for the UN special envoy’s failure to finalize the terms of reference.
“We agreed to resume our efforts for the terms of reference at the leaders’ meeting on August 9. We also made it clear we would be ready to take part in a tripartite meeting and expressed our readiness to work to finalize the terms of reference. However, what we saw at that meeting was that the Greek Cypriot leader continued to reject our political equality and our effective participation in decision-making processes. He continued to insist that the June 30 Guterres document should not be included in the ToR. That is why a result was not achieved,” he said.
Denouncing Anastasiades’ recent remarks in London, Akıncı said the views expressed were tactless and offensive.
“Unfortunately, he was not telling the truth,” Akıncı said, adding that contrary to Anastasiades’ claims, there was only one Guterres Framework document which was dated June 30.
He said that the document had made its place into a UN Security Council resolution making it official.
The leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman on Monday said that the UN Secretary-General needed to point out to Anastasiades that the issues he was objecting to were in fact positions endorsed by the UN.
In a post on social media, Erhürman said the UN Secretary-General had made it abundantly clear that any new process in Cyprus needed to be results-oriented, could not be open-ended and those past convergences needed to be maintained.
“The latest UN Security Council also confirmed the principle of political equality. The same resolution put an end to the debate on the Guterres Framework by stating that there was only one document dated June 30. So, Anastasiades’ objections on these issues are objections to UN Security Council decisions,” he said.
Erhürman reminded that numerous convergences existed between the two sides and that what was essential was to start a new process which was results-oriented but not open-ended.
He argued that it would take years for hydrocarbon exploration or the Maraş (Varosha) initiative, both of which were declared by Anastasiades as obstacles to starting a new process, to produce any outcomes.
“If a settlement is truly desired then a results-oriented process needs to be launched. Therefore, these issues declared as obstacles do not matter. That is why the most important duty falls on the Secretary-General in pointing out to Anastasiades that the issues he is objecting to are endorsed by the UN.
The government in the meantime continued to voice its opposition to the possibility of the resumption of talks on Monday.
In an interview with Bayrak on Monday, Prime Minister Tatar said his government was against a fait accompli on the Cyprus Problem which he accused the international community of trying to do.
He criticized Akıncı’s efforts, stating that his insistence on restarting a process was pointless as the Greek Cypriot side continued to reject the political equality and effective participation of Turkish Cypriots in decision-making processes.
He also argued that the Guterres Framework would impose conditions on Turkish Cypriots which were worse than the constitutional provisions of the 1960 Cyprus Republic.
“Each community used to elect its leaders back in 1960. Now this framework talks about cross-voting. The power-sharing arrangement is locked at a ratio of 4:1. There is no mention of two states, just entities. We made it clear in Ankara we need to discuss sovereign equality and not political equality,” he said.
Tatar also claimed that Turkish Cypriots would not support a federal solution if they were to be informed of what it truly envisaged which included giving up large swaths of territory in Morphou and the Karpaz peninsula (Karpas) as well as allowing thousands of Greek Cypriots to return to the north.
“It is obvious the Greek Cypriots are not ready for a partnership with us. What we need to focus from now on is a two-state solution under the EU umbrella. Our coalition partners share this view. There is no need to enter a new adventure,” he said.
In the meantime, Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay embarked on his contacts in New York on Monday, meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
The two exchanged views on the Cyprus Problem and the issue of hydrocarbons.
Çavuşoğlu also informed Özersay on the details of the meeting he held with the UN Secretary-General earlier this week.
Özersay also met with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo.
Evaluating his contacts to Bayrak, Özersay said that the Cyprus Problem should not be reduced to an exercise for drafting terms of reference.
“We can’t move forward if we don’t focus on the root causes of the Cyprus Problem and change the basic conditions which prevent the problem from being solved. We will just not make any headway and lose time in the process,” he said.
Özersay said that listing and compiling the positions of the two sides into a single document will not produce a solution but would only be recording existing divergences.
“It is time the UN and international actors understand that the Cyprus Problem cannot be solved through such exercises. This is what we have been conveying to our interlocutors. More importantly, we are telling them that starting a new process without questioning the reasons behind the failure of the last process will only prepare the ground for a new failure,” he said.
Özersay went on to say that the reason for the failure of the last round of talks in 2017 was the Greek Cypriot side’s reluctance to share power and wealth with Turkish Cypriots.
“It’s been two years since that process. Has anything changed in the Greek Cypriot side’s mentality? Are they [Greek Cypriots] ready to share with us? The answer, unfortunately, is no. That is why the belief that the Cyprus problem can be solved through a simple paper exercise should be abandoned as soon as possible,” he said.
He said that discussions with the Greek Cypriot side should focus on areas where cooperation can be carried out.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> TC side heading to NY with a spirit of goodwill to defend the rights of TCs based on UN parameters.
>> Failure to finalize ToR result of GC leadership’s continued rejection of political equality, which is a sine qua non for TCs.
>> Failure to solve Cyprob will render division on the island permanent.
>> Two-state solution would not be possible in the foreseeable future.
>> TC side working for a settlement based on two constituent states that will safeguard political equality & freedom of TCs.
>> Ankara still open to the idea of holding an informal five-party meeting to discuss the ToR.
>> TC side knows clearly what it wants in line with UN parameters & has the necessary political will & determination.
>> A solution in Cyprus is possible if all the other parties, particularly the GC side, show the same political will and determination.
>> Anastasiades’ conflicting statements on the nature of a settlement has created confusion among everyone.
>> TC side is expecting the UNSG to take on a more active role in the process.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> UNSG made it abundantly clear that any new process in Cyprus needs to be results-oriented, cannot be open-ended & past convergences needed to be maintained.
>> The latest UNSC report also confirmed political equality principle & ended the debate on the Guterres Framework.
>> If a settlement is truly desired then a results-oriented process needs to be launched.
>> The most important duty falls on the Secretary-General in pointing out to Anastasiades that the issues he is objecting to are endorsed by the UN.
Tatar (UBP)
>> Government is against a fait accompli on the Cyprob which the international community is trying to do.
>> Akıncı’s insistence on restarting a process is pointless as the GC side continues to reject political equality & effective participation of TCs in decision-making processes.
>> Guterres Framework would impose conditions on TCs which are worse than 1960 constitutional provisions such as: cross-voting, locking power-sharing arrangement at 4:1 ratio, and the failure to mention two states, just entities.
>> Talks need to focus on sovereign equality & not political equality.
>> TCs would not support a federal solution if they were to be informed of what it truly envisaged, such as giving up territory in Morphou & Karpas, and allowing thousands of GCs to return.
>> It is obvious the GCs are not ready for a partnership with TCs.
>> Focus from now on should be on two-state solution under EU umbrella.
Özersay (HP)
>> Cyprob should not boil down to an exercise for drafting ToR, which will only end up recording existing divergences.
>> Not possible to make headway without questioning reasons behind past failures, focusing on the root causes of the Cyprob & changing the basic conditions which prevent a settlement.
>> Discussions with the GC side should focus on areas where cooperation can be carried out.
Unions: “All Turkish nationals will be granted TRNC citizenship”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Kıbrıs Postası, Havadis, Afrika
Economy, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
“The goal of the economic protocol signed with Turkey in July is to create a societal conflict,” Şener Elcil (General Secretary of TC Teachers’ Union (KTÖS)) claimed on Monday in a written statement issued on behalf of the Trade Unions Platform.
Elcil claimed that the Turkish government had received reassurances from the Turkish Cypriot authorities that all Turkish nationals residing in the North for a minimum period of five years would be automatically granted TRNC citizenship, in exchange for releasing the first tranche of the ₺750 million in financial aid to the TRNC.
He further claimed that Turkish Cypriot assets will also be given to Turkish businesses.
Elcil urged the Turkish Cypriot authorities to revoke the protocol agreement, warning that any such move by the National Unity Party (UBP)–People’s Party (HP) coalition could trigger communal conflict.
He instead invited the Turkish Cypriot authorities to discuss the Platform’s proposal, which contains 90 points intending to create a self-ruling and self-sufficient administration independent of Turkey’s influence.
“The Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has not made any concessions on its assimilation and integration policies on Cyprus, is deceiving the current coalition government,” Elcil said, noting that the Turkish Cypriot government had succeeded in surviving without any funds from Turkey for 18 months during the previous coalition government’s term in office.
“In this respect, such enforcements under the pretext of privatization is aimed at nothing more than handing over Turkish Cypriot assets to Turkish companies and granting more citizenships that will only serve Turkey’s colonization efforts in the northern part of the island,” Elcil said.
Maraş (Varosha) foundation closed in 1935
Yenidüzen
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
Veteran Turkish Cypriot politician from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the Abdullah Paşa Foundation which claims to be the owner of Maraş (Varosha) was compensated in 1935 before being shut down indefinitely. Soyer based his claims on official documents published in Haşim Altan’s book in 1986 named the “Documented history of Turkish Cypriot Evfak properties.”
The foreword of the book was written by former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaş, its introduction by former President of the Board of Directors of Evkaf Administration and Religious Affairs Department and its preface by the former General Director of the Evkaf Administration Soner Çuvalcıoğlu.
Soyer said that the documents clearly showed that the foundation was closed down after receiving a hefty compensation for its properties.
Soyer also criticized the current campaign launched by the Evkaf Administration.
“You can’t defend the Evkaf’s claims or historical realities through raw propaganda on billboard adverts,” he said.
Soyer also criticized the government for exploiting the issue for domestic political purposes.
He also called on the Evkaf’s director to publish these documents as well, stating that it was important to evaluate the issue objectively.
“Both the British colonial authorities and the Evkaf made mistakes in the past. We need to examine the facts carefully and inform the public accurately,” he added.